VERY RAW REACTIONS TO EP 10 [SPOILERS AHEAD]

This is going to contain my very raw reactions (only a few minutes have passed since the episode was streamed) so this won't be cohesive at all, there won't be an analysis either. I might write one in this thread some other day. But this episode left me SCREAMINGGGG. 

• First, of course, MANAMI AND TAIGA ARE SUCH A CUTE COUPLE! They are both clingy without being too forward, and in their own ways they are fighting for their relationship. Manami is willing to quit the school to be with Taiga, and Taiga wants to quit being a host to be a "better man" for Manami. Well, of course, it would be hard for Manami to hear Taiga say"aishiteru" to other women lol. I just love how they are showing their purest smiles to one another. However, I can see that Taiga is still trying to get used to the idea of loving someone. He did promise to himself to never fall in love, so his whole relationship with Chihuahua-sensei takes a bit of getting used to. But it's as clear as day that he doesn't want to let go.
• I hate the school. Period. 
• KAWAHARA MY MAN! I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE WAS A TIME WHERE I ALMOST WANTED TO BURN MY TV EVERYTIME YOU APPEAR ON SCREEN 😭 He really has changed upon knowing and understanding Manami and Taiga's relationship. Not only did he stay true to his word of supporting both of them, he also fought alongside them. And by fight, I mean he FOUGHT MANAMI'S DAD! Not only did he say to Papa that he's suffocating Manami, he even said that Manami needed a man like Taiga; a man that could allow her to do what she wanted. Another user had pointed out that Kawahara was a character who sought after the truth, and I loved how he defended that truth the moment he witnessed it for himself. It really showed that a man exposed to a male-dominated field could either choose to be an asshole, or to change for the better. I'm glad Kawahara chose to be better. 
• One sweet scene that is stuck in my mind was Manami and Taiga conversing by WRITING TO EACH OTHER. WRITING TO EACH OTHER!!!!!!!! We've come so far 😭 From Manami offering to teach a reluctant Taiga to write his own name, now they're openly flirting with pen and paper. And you know what's interesting? They could only write simple phrases, but the fact that they're writing it puts greater weight to it. It may not be as elaborate as a poem, yet the message that is conveyed is much deeper. As deep as the connection they have formed. 
• With regards to Taiga's mom... she is a parasite, and everyone knows that. But the show has already given enough hints that she was in an abusive relationship (the salon itself is taped all over and the glasses are broken), and she is showing more desperation to get money from Taiga. And it's more evident in this episode. She did all that she could, and even tried to use Yuki again to try to entice Taiga. And yet, Taiga finally told her to leave. Forever. 
  • It actually makes me feel a bit complicated, because it's been very obvious that she was not a good mother at all. And yet, when a flashback shows a warm moment between her and little Taiga, it probably made her realize that she drove her child to leave her. The innocent little Taiga who laughs when getting his hair cut became an adult Taiga who mustered his courage to tell her to never talk to him again... it is painful, yes. But it was the reality check she needed. To stay as his mother, she needed to become his mother first. And yet she didn't. 
• AND LASTLY, MANAMI'S DAD. I still hate him because he's a domineering man and how he's the perfect example of what patriarchy is. He's done so much damage to his wife and daughter, and I don't think he's as a redeemable character as Kawahara. HOWEVER, his characterization is the most complex among all the characters. Although I hate him, I still pity him. Even with how controlling he is, there's no denying that he acted out of love. For him, it was "love," but his eyes were never truly opened over how damaging it is. And so, as he lovingly gazed at Manami's childhood pictures, I saw him as a dad that did what he thought was right for the daughter that he loved. He thought that "control" protected her. He thought that "watching over her" made life easier for her. He thought that "paving the way for her" would not let her experience difficulties in life. That's why he exercised his power for Manami to enter a university and even intervened for her to be accepted at her previous dream job and her current school. And yet, as what Manami's mom has said, "we are not your property." What a powerful statement! Even with the "love" Papa has for them, they were never his to control. They too deserved freedom. 
  • And so, when Papa barged in on Manami's apartment and saw Taiga there, he berated him. Lashed out on him. Judged his very character. And yet, at the very end, he gave Taiga a challenge: Taiga could still change his life. There are still opportunities for him to learn, and there are still paths that he could take to change the trajectory of his life. Which was a very odd way of saying "alright, you guys could date as long as you become better persons," but then again we are talking about Manami's dad. Despite being an aggressive approach, that is how he said to Manami that "you chose this man, and so I'll trust you. But he needs to prove himself to me." AND YOU KNOW WHAT? If this was the old Taiga--the Taiga that throws his workbooks when he couldn't read or write the words properly--then he might have ran away. He probably would've said "bye bye" to Chihuahua-sensei again. But Taiga has changed. And so, with the challenge of Manami's dad, he said "I'll do it." AND IM SO PROUD OF HIM  😭

AND NOW WE ARE DOWN TO ONE LAST EPISODE, I'M SOOOO CURIOUS TO SEE HOW THIS WILL ALL TURN OUT 😭

I cried SO MUCH. I saw in the little preview that there will be lost of crying next episode and I am SCARED.

 BobbiCece:

I cried SO MUCH. I saw in the little preview that there will be lost of crying next episode and I am SCARED.

I was so upset seeing Taiga cry.  I was shocked at myself, how upset that made me lol.  I don’t think I’ve ever been this invested in a drama everrrrrrrrrr.  He is SUCH a GREAT ACTOR it totally stuns me what an amazing job he’s doing w this character.  

Manami's apartment is bathed in golden beach light when Taiga enters. It's as if the sunlight is emanating from her soul and illuminating everything around her.

Taiga as ramen, and the writer/director didn't even bother to make us use Google translate on the ramen labels because Taiga understands himself so much better now that he can recognize himself.

Taiga was gonna become first no matter what 🏆

Not an Easter egg, just look at how softly our pookie is looking at our other pookie 😭🫰

Manami is still teaching Taiga heartbreakingly basic things like saying itadakimasu (I am grateful for this food). She's still Sensei but I wonder at what point Taiga will call her Manami. Maybe never? But I somehow think it will happen before the end.

But then Taiga teaches Manami lessons on slurping ramen which are just as important and healing

Go Manami! And look at how much light there is in the last shot

Kaoru* turns away from the light while he's on the phone with one of his princesses. Also DUDE you're lucky Chihuahua Sensei didn't take a bite out of your leg

*I only refer to him as Kaoru when he's in host mode which only happens in this scene because he truly is growing up

And speaking of Kaoru, they discuss the origin of his name and I have a feeling his host club boss (but totally real father) named him that because of how his mother smelled or something like that. It will be something that makes us cry because why not one more thing that makes us cry 😭😭

They can't go back to pretending and it's Manami who knows it because she refuses to lie to herself or anyone else anymore about how she feels about Taiga.

I straight up bawled at this part 😭😭😭

The next morning the light is gray and Taiga is trying to escape the apartment. He's temporarily lost his courage because the morning is normally when he's on his way home after romancing women for money all night. But Manami won't let him go without a fight.

Taiga says the theme of the entire drama. But Manami is like not us, not now.

Notice the light on Taiga as he says he'll look for a job outside the host club industry.

From @atomheartmother on Bluesky: Manami and Taiga walk together, but the bridge (relationship) is "shaky". They separate at the pedestrian crossing, Manami is a step before Taiga on this journey. They walk in opposite directions (foreshadows a separation before hea?) 

Also from From @atomheartmother on Bluesky: The framing in this scene is insane! 🤯 Manami stands straight and proud before the Madonna, like her strength emanates directly from her, while the other 2 are further away. The nun steps between her and the statue, as to severe their connection, looming over her like a movie villain

Taiga's little brother is wearing a t-shirt with yellow and blue trains (trains symbolize freedom, blue and yellow are now Manami and Taiga's colors). So there's hope for him (I've been worried he's next to be pimped out by mama)

Kawaharaaaaaaaa they could never make me hate you... now. I totally hated you at first but the man came in clutch to become my third favorite character after my pookies.

I love this scene because Tsubasa and Taiga are sitting in the warm sunlight under the clear blue sky wearing the colors of the sand and ocean. Even though they admit they miss The Joker this is such a better outcome for both of them.

Taiga talking about why he struggles to say I love you to Manami. But ironically the drama was full of people lying every time they took a breath.

Mama's plants are not only bigger, they're messier! (second shot is from episode 3). She's changing and growing too.

When Evil Papa goes into Manami's room, the warm yellow light beams onto the closet that holds Taiga's hat (also girl you shoulda taken that hat with you before your father stomped it like a complete psycho)

There's no significance to this screenshot other than Raul is an extremely attractive young man and I wish him well in his future endeavors 😇

Evil mommy behaves like a greedy grifter and rightfully gets tossed out of Taiga's room but the way she's photographed here makes me think a redemption arc is coming in the last episode.

The parallels between these shots are heartbreaking

Ugh shut up Momoko

Taiga finds out that Manami was forced to quit her job, he's pissed, they fight and then poof! The lights go out. A little darkness is inevitable in every relationship...

But together you can turn the lights back on, even if you (s)tumble a bit

The following sequence is lovely and moving. First Manami pulls on Taiga's shirt and tells him she wants to be with him. It's an overt expression of desire. But instead of answering her, Taiga asks her to read him a book. His lips are "filthy" but for them, written words are clean.

Finally Taiga also admits his desire for Manami in the writing she taught him. Somebody hold me, I'm not well 😭😭

Then the lean-in for the kiss but BING BONG MF'ers, daddy's here! But look at the light in this shot (this show better reward us with good skinship in the last episode to make up for this 😤)

I hate the father but he wasn't wrong about Taiga needing to step up. And then Taiga made me cheer HELL YEAH in that final scene (only one episode left, sob) 

 KnitTeaTankLock:

Was anyone else scared - and having hospital "intercranial haemorrhage" flashbacks from I think ep 7  - after they fell during the circuit break scene and Taiga hit his head, and then when Papa Ogawa threw him away from Manami he hit his head again....?

No but now I am 😭😭

 KnitTeaTankLock:

Was anyone else scared - and having hospital "intercranial haemorrhage" flashbacks from I think ep 7  - after they fell during the circuit break scene and Taiga hit his head, and then when Papa Ogawa threw him away from Manami he hit his head again....?

I was scared every time he bumped his head, especially after ep.6. I think it’s kind of PTSD about Asian drama tropes in general.